Thompson in D1, Hoff in D6
named to Idaho Transportation Board
Jim Thompson of Sandpoint and Bob Hoff of Idaho Falls were recently appointed by Gov. Brad Little to serve on the Idaho Transportation Board.
Thompson will serve a six-year term representing D1 (through Jan. 31 of 2025), while Hoff will serve the remainder of Lee Gagner’s term (through Jan. 31, 2020) representing D6 before requiring reappointment.
“Meeting the challenges of the fastest-growing county in the fastest-growing state — I look forward to working together on those issues,” D1 District Engineer Damon Allen said of the appointment of Thompson.
Of the Hoff appointment, D6 District Engineer Jason Minzghor said, "I look forward to working with Bob to tackle the unique transportation challenges of East Idaho."
Thompson replaces Jim Coleman on the board, who had served as the D1 representative since being appointed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter in 2007.
Reflecting on the major changes and accomplishments of the last 12 years, Coleman said, "I was happy that I could be a small part of it. I feel like I have benefited personally (probably more than I have given) from being a part of ITD. I have met and worked with great people on the Board who have volunteered their knowledge and time to give back to Idaho and make things better every day. I have met and worked with ITD employees who are so dedicated to making a difference and serving the public. I am proud and humbled to have been a part of it."
He listed these as his most significant contributions and memories:
- Clearly defining ITD's mission and role: safety, mobility and economc opportunity
- Helping rebuild trust: "The Governor and Legislature continue to work with ITD to increase funding because of their confidence that ITD will use those funds efficiently," he explained.
- Empowering and supporting employees: supporting efforts to change the culture, increase opportunity and increase pay.
- GARVEE funding and projects: Despite initial skepticism, Coleman says the Great Recession changed his mind. "GARVEE was a big factor in how Idaho was able to recover so well."
- Data-Driven project decisions: "When I started, project priority was not data driven and was usually 'worst-first' or 'squeaky-wheel' driven. Being able to define priorities and defend the project decisions based on data provided another level of accountability to ITD and the Board."
- Performance measurement and innovation: "Empowering employees to make decisions has lead to more productivity, performance and happier employees. Celebrating the success has added to ITD's continued improvements."
"I appreciated his local knowledge of the issues and his engineering background," Damon Allen said. "He always pushed ITD to truly move at the speed of business in North Idaho."
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JIM THOMPSON
- Represents District 1
- Resident of Sandpoint
- Professional Engineer, retired heavy construction manager with more than 30 years of experience, including owning his own company and consulting with other projects.
- Experience working in heavy construction managing pipelines, piling, shoring, and structural concrete.
- Served on the Engineering and Utilities Contractors Association board of directors, as well as the board of directors for the Pile Driving Contractors Association.
- Worked on civil projects for Exxon, Shell, Unocal, Pacific Refinery, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cal-Trans, BART, City of San Francisco, San Francisco Airport, and Duke Energy (PG&E) power plant work
- Graduated from the University of Idaho in 1966
- Registered civil engineer in Idaho and California.
Appointment: 3/12/19 – 1/31/2025
Representing these counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone
ROBERT "BOB" HOFF
- Represents District 6
- Longtime Idaho Falls businessman and pilot. His family settled in Idaho Falls in 1903 on one of the first potato ranches in Idaho.
- Owner of Aero Mark Inc. in Idaho Falls, an aviation business he started in 1984.
- Inducted into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006 and is currently a member of the Board of that organization.
- Former member of the Idaho Aviation Advisory Board for 15 years, retiring from the board in 2010.
Appointment: 3/12/19 - 1/31/2020 (filling the remainder of a vacant position)
Representing these counties: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Teton.
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Both of the new members will come to ITD Headquarters in Boise March 20 to meet with staff and start the orientation process, and will attend the March 21 board meeting.
“I appreciate their eagerness to step up and serve the people of Idaho,” Governor Little said.
Published 03-15-19